Paul Lawrie takes Ryder Cup to Gleneagles by helicopter

THE Scots golfing hero jested that the trophy still tasted of victory champagne.

SCOTLAND’S Ryder Cup hero took the trophy home to Gleneagles yesterday and joked: “It still tastes of champagne.”

Paul Lawrie got a sweet reminder of his team’s Medinah party when he kissed the cup at the famous Perthshire resort, where Europe host the USA in two years.

Asked about the next contest, Paul said: “I wish it could start tomorrow.”

And even though he’ll be 45 in 2014, he’s desperate for another crack at the Americans after helping Europe produce the greatest comeback in cup history to beat the odds and win in Chicago.

Aberdonian Paul, who thrashed FedEx Cup champion Brandt Snedeker 5&3 in the singles, said: “I think I’m getting better as I get older. I feel very competitive at 43 and I can’t imagine I’m going to be any less so in two years.

“It was a special victory because it’s a tough crowd over there. You take it a bit in the neck from their spectators because they want to win badly. So to turn the score round from 10-6 down is a huge achievement by the team.”

Paul arrived in style at Gleneagles

Paul, who arrived at Gleneagles by helicopter, was honoured to deliver the cup. He said: “When I was asked to bring it here it was a straight yes, no matter what else I had on today.

“It’s important the cup gets handed over and Gleneagles is going to be a fantastic venue.”

Gleneagles hosted the forerunner to the Ryder Cup in 1921 when GB beat a star-studded American team including Walter Hagen.

More than 250,000 fans are expected at the 2014 cup, boosting Scotland’s economy by £100million.